November 25, 2008	Tuesday	Ziqa'ad 26, 1429

MONS (Belgium), Nov 24: Nato’s operations commander said on Monday he hoped a renewed focus by the incoming Obama administration on Afghanistan would encourage allies to commit more troops to the conflict there.

US General John Craddock acknowledged that Washington’s allies did not have the same military might as the United States. He also stressed the importance of development work and in improving governance.

At a news briefing at his headquarters in Mons, Belgium, Craddock welcomed indications that US President-elect Barack Obama would renew the US focus on Afghanistan, the biggest ground war in Nato’s history.

“The United States has committed to increase force levels and I hope there will be a forcing function to get increased contributions from other nations,” he said.

Craddock said that despite a 73-per cent increase in the strength of Nato’s International Security Assistance Force in the past two years — it now stands at some 50,500 — more troops were needed and insurgent activity had mounted.

There were still no ISAF forces at all in two Afghan provinces – Nimroz and Daikhundi – and no offers, he said.

Craddock said Nato aimed to boost security throughout the country for next year’s presidential elections.

He expected Washington to provide a brigade combat team of some 3,500 in January and it was also looking at how to source ISAF’s request for three more – one to train police and two more for combat.

Craddock said he recognised that apart from the United States, perhaps only a couple of other 25 Nato allies could provide a fully equipped combat brigade.

“Would I like to have a brigade combat team from a non-US ally or partner?” he asked. “You bet. What’s the likelihood that one’s available? Slim to none. What’s the likelihood of a battalion or battle group? Much higher...what’s the likelihood of three medevac helicopters? Pretty good.”—Reuters